The Minister for Regional Services and Local Communities, Catherine King, today joined Federal Member, Dick Adams, to announce $749,661 in commonwealth funding for community infrastructure projects, made available through the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund round three.
The Tasman Council will receive $249,661 to develop a walkway from Judd Park to the Nubeena Jetty to connect the commercial hub of Nubeena with the populated area of White Beach.
A further $500,000 will be given to the Latrobe Council to construct a community
centre in Port Sorell, providing a multipurpose venue for cultural, social, sporting and learning activities.
Mr Adams said that both projects will deliver benefits for tourists, locals and businesses alike.
“The Nubeena walkway will provide for safe, easy access between the town centre and the jetty, linking shops and business areas with the tourist hubs of White Beach and Parsons Bay which will help to support the local economy,” Mr Adams said.
“Similarly, the community centre in Port Sorrell will attract business to the area and help to strengthen community bonds by creating a space to host art exhibitions, performances and educational activities.”
In addition to funding long-term community infrastructure for the region, the projects will support local employment both during the construction phase and thereafter.
“Since 2007, the Federal Labor Government has been working with the Tasmanian Government, businesses and community to secure jobs in Tasmania. Projects like this and the Jobs and Growth Plan currently being developed will help to diversify and strengthen the state’s economy,” Mr Adams said.
Minister for Regional Services, Catherine King, congratulated the Tasman and Latrobe councils, whose applications were selected from a strong pool of contenders.
“The application process for this round of funding proved very competitive, with all applications scrutinised against eligibility, risk, viability and value-for-money criteria,” said Minister King.
Minister King said a total of 79 projects across Australia were receiving funding under RDAF round three.
“The latest round of regional funding continues our long-term investment in local communities including in health and hospitals, skills, higher education and infrastructure including a record $14 billion into regional Australia,” Minister King said.
Further information on the Regional Development Australia Fund can be found at www.regional.gov.au